Missing American journalist Austin Tice alive in Syria: NGO
Freelance journalist Austin Tice, who went missing in Syria in 2012 and has not been heard from since. (Photo via Getty Images)
Missing American journalist Austin Tice is “alive” in Syria, according to a nongovernmental organization (NGO) cited by the Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The development announced during Hostage Aid Worldwide (HAW)’s press conference in Damascus to highligh the latest developments in Syria.
US journalist Austin Tice believed alive in Syria
At a press conference in Damascus, Nizar Zakka, representing Hostage Aid Worldwide, emphasized the importance of transparency in ongoing efforts to secure the release of American journalist Austin Tice.
“We had all along proofs that where he was at different times. We never had anything that he is dead or anything happened to him. So we don’t see any reason to believe otherwise.” HAW official said during press conference.
“We have data that Austin is alive till January 2024, but the president of the US said in August that he is alive, and we are sure that he is alive today,” Hostage Aid Worldwide’s Nizar Zakka said.
“We are trying to be as transparent as possible and to share as much information as possible,” Zakka stated.
He presented an image that he claimed showed the locations where Tice was held between November 2017 and February 2024.
Ongoing collaboration with US authorities and Tice’s family
Hostage Aid Worldwide confirmed its continued cooperation with Tice’s family and US authorities to locate him and ensure his safe return.
Tice, now 43, was working for Agence France-Presse, McClatchy News, The Washington Post, CBS, and other media outlets when he disappeared near Damascus in August 2012.
Despite mounting evidence and repeated inquiries, Syrian authorities under former President Bashar al-Assad never acknowledged holding Tice in custody.
Earlier this month, Tice’s mother, Debra Tice, stated that she had received information suggesting her son was still alive. Syria’s new leadership committed to intensifying search efforts.
Syrian Cleric Yohanna Ibrahim also believed to have been held
Hostage Aid Worldwide also addressed the case of senior cleric Yohanna Ibrahim, a Syrian-American and prominent leader of the Syriac Orthodox Church in Aleppo. Ibrahim was kidnapped in April 2013, and Zakka revealed that the cleric was reportedly seen alive in 2018 at Branch 291 of Syria’s security forces.
“He is a US citizen,” Zakka said, adding that evidence indicated Ibrahim was in government custody at that time. The organization did not provide further details about Ibrahim’s current status or whether he is believed to still be alive.
